Manu Ginobili recently provided an update on his health status with the Argentine website Canchallena.LaNacion.com via projectspurs.com: “It does not hurt. I’m Optimistic, but I have doubts, I have fears. Perceive that it is (the injury) is definitely much better. When I finished the season touch felt pain when I touched that area, not now,”

Updates from Friday, July 4

Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News has the latest on Ginobili:

Ginobili says he has had pain for 2-3 months, but not sharp enough to force him to stop playing.

Manu Ginobili, who played a critical role in the San Antonio Spurs' fifth NBA championship run, is reportedly dealing with a stress fracture in his right leg. The injury is likely to have developed during the playoffs but isn't expected to impact his status for next season.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports the ailment was discovered before he left for the offseason. Although he's slated to recover in time for training camp, it likely means he'll be unavailable to represent Argentina at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup:

Ginobili is seeking a second medical opinion before proceeding, sources said.

The recovery and rehabilitation process for the injury is expected to be two months, and Ginobili should be fully functional for the start of training camp in late September, a source told Yahoo.

The 36-year-old guard is no stranger to the wear and tear associated with nonstop basketball between playing for the Spurs and Argentina. When he struggled mightily during the Finals the previous year there were questions about how much he had left to give.

Ginobili answered those questions with a revitalized postseason performance this season. He averaged 14 points, four assists and three rebounds in 23 playoff games. His return to form, paired with better showings from San Antonio's role players, led the franchise to another title.

Although the injury is a disappointing setback for Ginobili, a stalwart for the Argentine national team, it shouldn't impact the Spurs. Gregg Popovich limits the minutes of his veterans anyway, which should keep the guard from risking further injury this coming season.

San Antonio will need him healthy if it's going to make a serious bid to repeat next season.